Mayo woman celebrated at Mum of the Year awards
Caitlín Kirrane has been feted at the 2026 Woman’s Way and Beko Mum of the Year Awards.
Nominated in June, the Castlebar native has been documenting her life as a mum with health challenges, life as a family of six, life in a mobile home and documenting her family’s dream self build home.
Caitlín was one of the ten nominees and attended a special lunch at 25 Fitzwilliam Place celebrating Irish mothers and highlighting their contribution across all facets of society, in an afternoon filled with emotion, admiration, laughter and fun.
The Mother of 4 has garnered a large and loyal social media following through her honest and relatable content about life which started when she and her husband lived in Australia.
Living in Australia, she found life as a young mother to two children lonely without friends and family around and took to YouTube to document her and her family’s life, to share with loved ones at home.
Having moved home, she continued to share details online and transitioned to additional social platforms Instagram and Tiktok where she has spoken openly about a recent ADHD diagnosis and also sharing the intricacies of managing a self-build project.
Back for an incredible 23rd year, the Beko Woman’s Way Mum of the Year Awards celebrate Ireland’s amazing mothers and shine a light on women who quietly and consistently make life better, for their families, society and everyone around them, with Beko proudly supporting the awards for more than a decade.
The overall Woman’s Way & Beko Mum of the year award winner was Tipperary woman Carol Hyland who was nominated for her ongoing work with marginalised young people, championing those whose voices are too often unheard.
Leanne Flynn was awarded the Woman’s Way & Beko Mum of the Year Special Recognition Award during the event as special acknowledgement for displaying extraordinary resilience and courage shown during a violent knife crime in Dublin’s city centre.
Judie Lopes was presented with the Woman’s Way & Beko Mum of the Year Champion Award for 2026.
Judie and her family were thrust into the spotlight when Ireland adopted her husband’s home nation of Cape Verde and her son, Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes, who proudly represented that country at this year’s World Cup.
Lisa McGowan, the unstoppable force behind Lisa’s Lust List and an Irish entrepreneurial success story, claimed the Woman’s Way and Beko celebrity Mum of the Year award.
Event host, and chair of the judging panel Norah Casey said: “Every year, these awards remind us just how extraordinary ordinary mothers can be. Behind every nomination is a story of love, sacrifice, resilience and determination, often from women who never seek the spotlight or recognition.
"The Mum of the Year Awards are about celebrating those incredible women who make such a difference, not just to their families but to their communities and wider society. This year’s winners are truly inspirational, and it was an absolute privilege to honour them and share their remarkable stories”.
More information on the awards is available to read in the latest issue of Woman’s Way magazine.
ENDS
Caption: Castlebar woman Caitlín Kirrane was celebrated at the 2026 Woman’s Way and Beko Mum of the Year Awards. The mum of one was one of the ten nominees and attended a special lunch at 25 Fitzwilliam Place celebrating Irish mothers and highlighting their contribution across all facets of society, in an afternoon filled with emotion, admiration, laughter and fun. Caitlín is pictured with Carissa Casey, Editor Woman's Way and Ebru Gener, Beko Sales Director UK & Ireland.